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the top of the ground, and those are the foxes that 

 afford the best sport, but the stub bred fox is rather 

 rare nowadays. Perhaps this may be in part due to 

 the increase in artificial earths. These may be aids 

 to ensuring the finding of foxes in places which might 

 otherwise be doubtful, but they spoil the breed, and 

 have almost ehminated the straight-necked variety, 

 whilst at the same time they are a frequent cause of 

 mange. 



How long the vixen would continue a mother's care 

 for her offspring if cub hunting did not intervene, I 

 cannot say, but it is probable the natural tie would be 

 broken by the middle of September, even were not 

 hounds to intervene. When the pack first visits a 

 covert the vixen does all in her power to prevent her 

 youngsters from faUing victims to the huntsman's 

 thirst for blood, but after that first experience they 

 have to look after themselves. 



Although foxes have a very thick and efficient coat 

 to keep them warm, they usually prefer a kennel, if 

 above ground, that is sheltered from the wind. Also, 

 in spite of being nocturnal animals, dehghting in the 

 dark, they enjoy a httle sunshine in autumn and early 

 spring. A covert that has an open spot in its middle, 

 well protected from the wind, and efficiently hidden 

 from too curious eyes, is often selected for the mid- day 

 sleep when the sun is shining. What, however, a fox 

 insists on is dry bed, and this, strange to say, can 

 frequently be found in marshy ground on a bunch of 

 rushes. The rushes suck up all the moisture and 

 afford dry lair. Another reason which I think is 

 responsible for a marsh or bog being a favourite place 

 is that neither men nor dogs can approach it without 

 giving due notice of their approach. 



